engine and drivetrain Newbie in the Bay Area - 76 2002

[omar510]

Hey everyone, my name is Omar and I picked up my 2002 about a month ago. I've been into Bimmers for a while now and I've had a e34 m5, and e36 m3 so far. Both are gone now and I sprung on an opportunity to pick up a 76 2002. It was a very compulsive buy . I've always wanted one and but I was always sketchy on picking one up. After I picked up the 02 I had some buyers remorse. The seller told me it was a solid runner and after a quick test drive I believed it. Upon getting it home I was having starting, idling, and braking issues. I have listed the car on and off craigslist but I have finally decided to keep it for good. I have about two months before I get back to school and in that time I wish to get the car up to daily driver status and make it a decent looking 02 as well. The car was originally malaga and the previous owner did a crappy white paint job on it. (the door sills, engine bay, trunk are still malaga). The sunroof was also sealed in the poorest possible manner. It's missing a passenger side seat and the center console. Underneath the valve cover was pretty darn clean so I am hoping the motor doesn't need too much work. I'm a broke full-time student so I am going to do the majority of the work myself.

Things I've done:

-Bleed the brakes (Still feel mushy so maybe try again)

-Flushed coolant (The nastiest liquid I've ever seen)

-Rebuilt the stock Solex Didta carb

-flushed out the fuel tank with new fuel filter

-Removed the stock bumpers

I've put the carb back in it but I just keep on having starting and idling issues. Does anyone know how many turns both the screws should be at on the solex didta? Is there anyone passing by Union City anytime this week that wouldnt mind coming by to have a look? I'll be looking forward to making bmw2002faq my new home in the upcoming months Thanks

[SeanHaver]

Nice car, I was thinking of looking at that one myself.

[dubois]

Based on your previous other cars, I am thinking that the best decision you can make is to unload your car. A 76 is the only year that will require smog, The Solex probably needs a total rebuild, and a nice Weber (with the proper smog tag) will cost you $300 ( last time I checked). Any other year you are fine, and can modify and extract more performance. You will end up loosing on this deal, but in the long run you will be happier.

The only problem now, is that you must smog it first to sell it!! Good luck!

[omar510]

I think if I have to smog it to sell it why not enjoy it for a little while. What do you mean by a full rebuild on the solex? I've cleaned it out pretty thouroughly.

[Mike Self]

1. Those OEM Solexes weren't that great in the first place--they had problems with the automatic choke--esp the fast idle control, and with the vacuum secondary barrel. That's why many folks have converted to a Weber 32/36. If the Solex had come with a manual choke and a mechanical secondary it would have been a much better instrument. As for the idle mixture screw, just keep tweaking it, but wait until the engine is fully warmed up before turning it. Just adjust for the smoothest idle, then set the idle speed properly (about 750-800 rpm).

2. Michael is right about 76s in California--they have to be smogged (the only '02 that's still required). But if yours won't pass, not to worry. While you can't sell it in-state, you can to an out of state buyer. By listing it on this board you may well find someone in Salt Country--with no emission inspection for a '76--who would love to have a nice rust-free California car.

For now, get it running (and stopping) properly, unstick the sunroof and replace the seals so it won't leak and enjoy the car. There's always a market for a good running, rust free 2002.

cheers, and welcome to the madness!

mike

[omar510]

Thanks mike!

Would the weber be smog/carb legal? What would be the cost and what kind of modifications would I need?

The car is pretty rust free with the exception of light surface rust on the door skins and the rust in the spare tire well.

[tjones02]

Sorry for the late reply Omar...

You have email with the factory Solex carburetor service manual.

http://www.bmw2002faq.com/component/option,com_forum/Itemid,57/page,viewtopic/t,335699/highlight,solex+manual/

A few related posts... one of these has the Smog legal Weber vacuum diagrams that come with the kits.

http://www.bmw2002faq.com/component/option,com_forum/Itemid,57/page,search/mode,results/?search_keywords=weber+vacuum+diagram&search_terms=all&search_author=tjones02&search_forum=-1&search_time=0&search_fields=all&search_cat=-1&sort_by=0&sort_dir=DESC&show_results=topics&return_chars=200

So, to answer a few of your questions....

Yes there is a smog legal Weber carburetor kit for your car.... these two sell new ones. Jam Engineering and Redline Weber both make legal Weber 32/36 kits.

http://www.jameng.com/products/index.phtml?section=2

http://www.redlineweber.com/html/application_guide/BMW.htm

I'd check with Double 02 Salvage in Hayward to see if they have a used Weber with the CARB exemption tag on it. They will also have many other used and new parts as well as may stock the Redline Weber kit as well.

There are many shops in the San Francisco Bay Area that still service 2002s but I'll recommend the one I work for here.... Casey MotorSports... link in my Sig.

HTH and I'll get back to you sooner next time.

[omar510]

Thanks Tom!

I did receive your email with the carb manual. I will be looking over it soon. If I can't get it to run with the solex I am going to do the Weber conversion. I think 2002 does stock the carb but I have to double check today. I also saw that the rubber pipe has snapped off of my egr today so I will have to fix that. Petaluma is pretty far for me but as soon as I get the 02 road worthy I'll have to make a trip up for some servicing. Thanks again

[tjones02]

Use early USA E21 320i red EGR hose and trim it to fit since the 2002 one is NLA... Part# 11 71 1 264 077

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=1733&mospid=47175&btnr=11_0955&hg=11&fg=50&hl=7

Here are your stock Solex DIDTA 2bbl carburetor vacuum and emissions diagrams. I have these in color as well and will get them posted in the near future.... 002 stocks the proper red, white, blue and black silicone vacuum hoses.

http://www.dagsites.com/emissions.htm

Cheers and glad to help anytime

[omar510]

After a closer look it looks like part 5, (threaded pipe joint) has rusted through and broke off. I can also see that there is a bunch of carbon and gunk buildup to where the it might reduce the flow of air. Is there a preferred method to cleaning this thing up?

[tjones02]

I would need pictures to confirm but it reads like you need an EGR valve.

[mbaze]

If you haven't already, please put a front bumper on it. I know from personal experience that other cars will eventually find your front grill. A little love tap can do quite a bit of damage.

Cheers.

Michael

[omar510]

Hey I actually found the part i was looking for at 002. Thanks. I am doing the spark plugs and wires, cap, rotor, and points today. Lets see how it goes....